A Bride’s Perspective of Her Wedding Day
By Alexis Bohlinger / Photography by M and M Terry
In thinking about how to recap my wedding, there are a few different approaches I could take. Do I want to give advice to future brides on things to stress and not stress over? Do I want to talk about what it feels like to have it all behind me? Or do I want to relive the magic of my perfect day? No matter what I write, I know from experience that you can’t talk a bride out of her jitters, and you cannot tell the lady in white what matters most to her — because at the end of the day, every wedding should be as unique as the couple getting married.
As a bride who tied the knot this past May, I say: continue to forge your own path. Prior to my husband, George, popping the question with a beautiful blue sapphire, I had not given my “dream wedding” much thought. But once the planning began, I realized that while many people told me not to stress about the little details, those were the elements I enjoyed most.
From the cake topper of two skeletons kissing under the moon to our custom Vans tennis shoes and punk rock invitations, these touches made the day ours. We even found a sense of peace in our memorial table. Seeing our parents’ wedding photos tucked in the corner made me feel as though our moms were watching over us every time I walked by.
The day itself began with those quiet, personal moments that no itinerary can truly capture. I remember getting ready in the hotel room with my best friend and bridesmaid, Malori, feeling so deeply loved when I saw she had spread out all of her jewelry on the bed just to make sure I was covered for “something borrowed” and “something blue.” That sense of support followed me to the doors of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where I stood in a white gown and a “monstrous” veil that made my entrance feel truly magical.
As my dad, Rick, walked me down the aisle, I saw George waiting in his formal black tux with a tear in his eye. I like to think he was moved by the gravity of the moment, but it’s just as likely he was overwhelmed by the amazing work of my hair and makeup team!
We had spent 18 months planning for perfection, and the moment was finally here. But life has a funny way of intervening. As my father handed me off and turned to take his seat, he tripped — not once, but twice — on my beloved veil. My head jerked back, the congregation held its breath, and my dad narrowly avoided a face-plant into the pew. In a moment that could have felt like a disaster, George, the guests, and I, all erupted into laughter. Our priest gave us a stern look to “behave,” but the tension was already broken.
I’m sharing this story because, despite the meticulous planning and every attempt to orchestrate a “perfect” day, things will happen. My dad’s accidental tomfoolery was exactly what George and I needed to break the tension and save us both from a looming panic attack. In that moment of laughter, we realized we were surrounded by the people who know us best and have seen us at our worst. When you are among true family and friends, a little hiccup isn’t a disaster — it’s a memory. I later learned that the comedy started even before I reached the altar with our niece Franny, serving as flower girl. She had a “royal fit” and stomped down the aisle, haughtily thrusting red petals from her basket with a magnificent scowl. I’m told she was a crowd favorite.
While proper planning ensured the day was smooth enough to handle these bumps in the road, some of my favorite highlights weren’t on the itinerary at all. There is a certain magic in the unscripted moments that no binder can capture. For instance, our groomsman, Erik Ryan, managed to convince the captain of the Detroit Princess to let our entire wedding party aboard for a spontaneous photo shoot and champagne toast just before they hosted a prom. It was a total detour from our schedule, but those photos turned out to be my favorites. It serves as a reminder that once the planning is done, you have to leave a little room for the day to breathe and surprise you.
My final advice to any bride-to-be is this: invest in the photos and the highlight videos. The day goes by in a beautiful, blurred whirlwind, and you will want these to help you relive the magic. But more importantly, once the morning of your wedding arrives, surrender to the day. The planning is done. If the flower girl scowls or someone trips on your veil, laugh. Those unscripted moments are often the ones that reflect the real beauty of your life together — perfectly imperfect and surrounded by love.
Local Vendors
Dress: Alessandra’s Bridal & Formalwear, Warren
Flowers/Decor: The Rustic Root, St. Clair Shores
Photography: M and M Terry Photography
Rings: Lavdas, Warren
Tuxedo: Men’s Warehouse, Roseville
Video: 97 Films
